---
title: "Italian criminal record or pending charges: which one do you need?"
url: https://praticaexpress.it/en/italian-criminal-record-or-pending-charges
description: "Two different Italian court certificates that are often confused. What each one shows and when consulates and employers ask for it."
updated: 2026-11-03T08:24:39+01:00
---

# Italian criminal record or pending charges: which one do you need?

When a consulate, an employer or an immigration office asks you for an «Italian police certificate», they usually mean one of these two documents. The names are similar but they show different things: asking for the wrong one wastes weeks.

## The criminal record certificate (casellario giudiziale)

It shows **final convictions** and other closed decisions. It covers all of Italy and is issued by the Public Prosecutor's Office. There are general, criminal and civil versions.

## The pending charges certificate (carichi pendenti)

It shows **criminal proceedings still open**, not yet closed by a final ruling. It is issued by the Public Prosecutor's Office of the place where you live or lived, for that area.

## How to tell which one you need

- To prove you have **no convictions**: criminal record.
- To prove you have **no ongoing trials**: pending charges.
- Visas, residence permits, citizenship and many jobs often ask for **both**.

## Using it abroad

To use it in another country you usually need the apostille, which for these certificates is issued by the Public Prosecutor's Office. Some countries also want a translation.

If you are not sure, write to us before ordering: we tell you which one to request. With a signed proxy form we request [the criminal record certificate](https://praticaexpress.it/en/certificato-casellario-giudiziale) and [the pending charges certificate](https://praticaexpress.it/en/certificato-carichi-pendenti) for you, also from abroad.